T100 conversion to Tacoma, Tundra, etc.

Hi all, not sure if this is the right forum to post this under but I will give it a shot and hopefully be directed the right way (if I am off base).

So I have purchased a 96 T100 Extra Cab 4x4 manual and am hoping to convert the front end to either tacoma or early tundra.

After ALOT of looking around on the internet, I have found the tacomas to be narrow (er) than the T100. The early tundra (00-04) on the other hand is the same width. I intend to replace the whole front end (radiator support, headlights, bumper, hood, grille, etc.) my main question is if the T100 doors will line up with the tundra fenders. Has anyone tried this before or looked into it?

Also any other conversion recommendations, tips and tid bits would be highly appreciated. I love the T100 but the front end is not only a bit boring (looks not as good as tacoma or tundra) but also difficult to find after market parts for to "spice up" the ride.

Please chime in.

Thanks in advance.

 

My guess would be to find a Tundra site and ask the questions there. They would probably be able to help out more than a Tacoma site.

 

Seems like a lot of hassle just for a facelift. What don't you like about the T100 front end that makes you want to change?

 

Outdated. Some people like the look, some people don't. Same reason why 98-00 change to 01-04.

 

Exactly what he said, but also go on Ebay, Amazon, any car/truck site, so much less options are available for the front end of a T100 than the tundra/tacoma. They don't even have clear headlights, satoshi grill, etc.

 

I'll start off by telling you, this will be a pretty big job.

The core supports on the 2 trucks are totally different. You wont be able to bolt any of the gen1 tundra front end parts to the t100. You will have to change the core support. Core supports are cheap, changing them out is a pain. last time I did it, there is something like 40 spot welds that need to be drilled out to remove the old core support.

Once you do that, there is high likelihood that the radiator will not be in the correct position in relationship to the fan shroud. You will have to remove the fan shroud or go shroud-less.

Basically, everything relies on the core support to line up properly.

The truck in my avatar is an '04, but I changed it to '98 front end. Just those 6 years made a huge headache in doing the conversion. I do this kind of thing for fun, but I don't think I want to do it again.

I wish you would keep it original. I seldom see T100's. When I do, I think,"there is a rare item"

Subbed for what others are thinking.

Kirk

 

Great point Kirk, thank you for the reply. I assume by core support you mean radiator support. Those terms are synonymous? Because the truck has a front end that has been damaged I figured why not replace it with something better anyway. Plus because this will be more of a rig than a truck, I am anticipating to modding instead of keeping it stock.

Here is the truck as it sits.

 

Yep, same part, different name.

 

V8 1st gen Tundras are so cheap in my area, why even bother?

 

Because V8s don't come with a manual transmission, plus they are heavier. The 3.4 is an excellent engine, in my opinion. Couple that with a manual tranny and 4x4 on a mid-size truck, equals a perfect truck for the city and a rig for the backwoods. Might sound stupid, but I am chasing the best of both worlds.

By the way, also considering putting blower on in the future. Any experience with that?

 

You want a logical answer. Repair the body panels with those from a t-100. The front end of a tundra won't look right with the cab and body of a t-100 if you could even get it looking half decent.
It will look like a gremlin of a vehicle. My personal opinion, I like the look of a t100. I like the classic original Toyota looks. Clean and simple.
You want a back country rig? You want a t-100 that doesn't have that t100 stance or look. Here's the deal
Buy replacement panels and parts. Go to that junkyard you got your t100 from and get some f250 or f350 4x4 axles and solid axle swap that bad boy and get a tough ass bumper. Then you won't be a t100 trying to be something else, you'll be the baddest t100 around.

 

Find a V6 manual trans Tundra. The only manual trans Tundras were V6.

 

Yup, but they are difficult to find. I spent a great deal time looking for one. Toyota brochure days they do exist.

 

Yes, totally agree with Opteron. If you think a nice T100 is hard to find, try looking for a manual tundra, good luck. Thank you guys for the thoughts, definitely helps me decide on the most practical way to go.

 

do any fiberglass companies make custom front end conversions for T100s? I know that several companies offer 2nd gen glass front ends for 1st gen Tacomas so they might have something similar for T100s

 

3 years too late but this guy has the T-OneHundra project... with a T100 with a Tundra front clip

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/458666/1995-toyota-t100/

 

Anyone know if 1st gen Coilovers could would work on a 97-98 T100?

 

Don’t lose the soul of the t100. But I think it will be a lot easier for you to retrofit a tundra bumper or fender flares , then a huge structural job with the swap.

but if I’m being honest your vehicle looks more like a parts car then a project. Don’t get in over your head, the one thing that would scare me is parts are not as readily available for the t100 like the tundra/Tacoma. You might actually save money overpaying for a tundra 4x4 manual then fixing this one up completely.

 

The T-100 has torsion bars for the front suspension, so no.

 

Replace the hood, bend the core support back into place, bolt an aftermarket bumper on it and do a custom grill. It will look just fine.